Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

With his speed the first thought as far as what he replaces is Jamie Hill. I'm curious if his size and skill set will bring him more success at the D1 level than Hill had. Obviously he was not highly sought after, but hopefully he will fill a role and find success at UNH.

Once upon a time, Jax , Florida but now somewhere in the Lakes Region of NH

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Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

Originally Posted by deltabravo62

With his speed the first thought as far as what he replaces is Jamie Hill. I'm curious if his size and skill set will bring him more success at the D1 level than Hill had. Obviously he was not highly sought after, but hopefully he will fill a role and find success at UNH.

In an article I posted he was looking at/had inquiries from 3 other D1 teams (and that can mean many things, so I get that). He sure looks fast; looking at his films was thinking Jamie as well. NCAA D1 hockey of course is something all together different but I am really looking forward to seeing just where he fits and what he brings as well..

With his speed the first thought as far as what he replaces is Jamie Hill. I'm curious if his size and skill set will bring him more success at the D1 level than Hill had. Obviously he was not highly sought after, but hopefully he will fill a role and find success at UNH.

This was my thought. Hopefully he can come closer than Hill to 10-15 points per year and get in the line-up as a FR. Not a high-impact kid but if he can fill a forechecking/defensive role with that speed and effort, than I like him better than some alternatives for the bottom six...

He is a -26 this year with Northeast - but hopefully that is just a product of his team being awful.

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

I honestly don't have the slightest idea what's up with this recruit. Overage spare part with speed, decent size, but with a ceiling maybe in between 3rd line and 4th line by the time he's done (at age 25/26?)? Don't we already have enough of these walk-on level forwards on board already? Do we really need the next Jamie Hill (i.e. Cefalu and/or Sacco), or even the "Japanese Johnny Rogers" (that made me laugh out loud, EJ)??

Or is UNH serving notice to the rest of D-1 that we're going to dominate the *fertile* Asian recruiting scene?

Funny ... while the first true non-North American recruit was eventually going to happen (excepting Rod Langway being born in Taiwan), I always figured it would be a Swede or Finn, or maybe even an Eastern European. I'll give tons of credit to Souza (or Stewart) if this kid comes good, but this is just plain puzzling. You don't get much more "diamond in the rough" that this one, that's for sure. Sorry for my lack of enthusiasm.

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

I would guess/hope that Souza is trying to create is a little competition for those game day roster slots. Also do not forget the fact that we were an injury or two away from not being able to field a full lineup (short of Clark/Lazzaro hitting the ice as a skater) for a few weeks last season with a whopping three injured players. Obviously there is something that he likes in this kid. While we are already placing this guy at a pretty low expected ceiling I reserve full judgement of any player until I see them on the ice at the Whitt.

I agree with Dan that if he can fill a defensive/forechecking/pk kind of role well. I would prefer him over a few of the optional fill ins we have on the roster currently. That -26 raises the eyebrows a bit but when you look at the team he was on... woof...

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

Originally Posted by Chuck Murray

I honestly don't have the slightest idea what's up with this recruit. Overage spare part with speed, decent size, but with a ceiling maybe in between 3rd line and 4th line by the time he's done (at age 25/26?)? Don't we already have enough of these walk-on level forwards on board already? Do we really need the next Jamie Hill (i.e. Cefalu and/or Sacco), or even the "Japanese Johnny Rogers" (that made me laugh out loud, EJ)??

Has to be, thus little downside. If you can upgrade your fourth line for free, why wouldn't you? If he can be Johnny Rogers he's a big upgrade over the others. Rogers scored 40 pts over his last three seasons and was always dependable defensively...

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

Originally Posted by Dan

Has to be, thus little downside. If you can upgrade your fourth line for free, why wouldn't you? If he can be Johnny Rogers he's a big upgrade over the others. Rogers scored 40 pts over his last three seasons and was always dependable defensively...

Exactly what I was thinking when I tossed out the question. No money = no risk. This player is a free scratch ticket somebody gave you...

Now if there is scholarship money involved I have a completely different set of thoughts... mostly involving 4 letter words.

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

Exactly what I was thinking when I tossed out the question. No money = no risk. This player is a free scratch ticket somebody gave you...

Now if there is scholarship money involved I have a completely different set of thoughts... mostly involving 4 letter words.

I see potential and big upside. Fast and descent skills = all the positives that others have mentioned. I see him possibly suffering from being under utilized and the real potential not being allowed out until later years. In my mind he is raw and would benefit from strong coaching to bring out his best. Yes, lets channel our inner-Bazin. Older, but made for the big sheet and so new to the hockey scene (that most D1 kids have experienced), could be the next diamond.

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

Two more Bazin gushes within six posts on a UNH recruiting thread. I swear, everytime a Wildcat fan talks about Norm the UML coach must have to light up a cigarette.

Just for the record, when I read about Sato (after the obvious jokes that came to mind) the first coaching analogy I came up with was Walsh. Reminded me of the outside the box, find them anywhere, thinking that he had when he was building the UMaine program. Wasn't JYR working as a fireman when he recruited him? (Or do I have that story wrong. Memory does play tricks as we get older.) Not comparing Sato's ability to a player like Jean Yves, (but could he be another Ingraham?) just saying I like the approach.

Two more Bazin gushes within six posts on a UNH recruiting thread. I swear, everytime a Wildcat fan talks about Norm the UML coach must have to light up a cigarette.

Just for the record, when I read about Sato (after the obvious jokes that came to mind) the first coaching analogy I came up with was Walsh. Reminded me of the outside the box, find them anywhere, thinking that he had when he was building the UMaine program. Wasn't JYR working as a fireman when he recruited him? (Or do I have that story wrong. Memory does play tricks as we get older.) Not comparing Sato's ability to a player like Jean Yves, (but could he be another Ingraham?) just saying I like the approach.

I wouldn't expect him to ever score 85 points in a season - a la Ingraham - but you're larger point is a good one. The most exciting part of this signing is that UNH will apparently no longer ignore international players. The idea that the work required to get a non-NA citizen into school is too much to deal with is out the window. It doesn't create contacts in Europe - but at least UNH is finally open to the idea.

Whatever Sato turns out to be, that's a good thing. First two DU goals yesterday scored by an Austrian and a Finn. Int'l players can make a difference and it was always a horrible recruiting strategy to simply ignore a fertile and burgeoning recruiting ground...

the more I think if Sato and his potential DI impact, the more I think of Haydar* with speed.

Watcher, would you consider switching Eiserman and Vela? I believe the Eiserman is much stronger on the puck, better in the corners and the best setup man in the top 6. Watch him for 2 games and you know how and when he will put the puck in front of the net. Vela gives the 2nd line more size and muscle and they can all score.

Re: UNH Commits & Recruiting: 2017 and Beyond

Originally Posted by Dan

I wouldn't expect him to ever score 85 points in a season - a la Ingraham - but you're larger point is a good one. The most exciting part of this signing is that UNH will apparently no longer ignore international players. The idea that the work required to get a non-NA citizen into school is too much to deal with is out the window. It doesn't create contacts in Europe - but at least UNH is finally open to the idea.

Exactly. Next up - the burgeoning Italian youth hockey scene, due to Souza's contacts from his playing days.

Originally Posted by Dan

Whatever Sato turns out to be, that's a good thing. First two DU goals yesterday scored by an Austrian and a Finn. Int'l players can make a difference and it was always a horrible recruiting strategy to simply ignore a fertile and burgeoning recruiting ground...

Dan, I don't want to be snarky ... but at least in a UNH thread, the DU references can be initially confusing, what with our legendary soon-to-be-ex-coach sharing the same initials as the soon-to-be-D1-champions? ((and isn't there just a wee bit of irony in that BTW)) Can the school/program just be "Denver" in here, while DU remains for our coach emeritus?

Originally Posted by Dan

the more I think if Sato and his potential DI impact, the more I think of Haydar* with speed.

* Jeff Haydar, calm down

Good one.

P.S. to 'Watcher - isn't Clark technically a junior next season eligibility-wise?

Watcher, would you consider switching Eiserman and Vela? I believe the Eiserman is much stronger on the puck, better in the corners and the best setup man in the top 6. Watch him for 2 games and you know how and when he will put the puck in front of the net. Vela gives the 2nd line more size and muscle and they can all score.

No. This is the way it will be. It is written and cannot be changed.

P.S. to 'Watcher - isn't Clark technically a junior next season eligibility-wise?

You suspect he'll come back as a fifth season 26 year old to see action in three games? I don't think Souza wants to start his first year with a stopgap goalie situation of untested Robinson and "proven" fifth year guy. He'll bring in a new guy to fill the spot until Commessio.